PUBLICATIONS BY Brett D. Schaefer
Research
Commentary
Media Appearances
2008 Research
August 22, 2008
U.S. Should Ensure That Georgia's Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity Are Not Undermined by the United Nations
By Sally McNamara and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2034)
As diplomatic efforts intensify at to the United Nations (UN) to resolve the conflict in Georgia, the United States must unambiguously define its redlines and veto any proposed resolution which does not explicitly uphold Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
August 18, 2008
How Do U.S. Foreign Aid Recipients Vote at the U.N.? Against the U.S.
By Brett D. Schaefer and Anthony B. Kim
(Backgrounder #2171)
Most major recipients of U.S. assistance vote against the U.S. more often than they vote with the U.S. Forging freedom coalitions in the U.N. is a practical strategy to promote mutual policy objectives. The U.S. should adopt a policy of letting aid recipients know that undermining U.S. priorities at the U.N. will affect future decisions on allocation of U.S. aid.
July 16, 2008
Zimbabwe’s Enabler: How Chinese Arms Keep Mugabe in Power
By Brett D. Schaefer and John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #1997)
Robert Mugabe's sham re-election is only the most recent example of the detrimental role China plays in Africa as the protector of despots and enabler of repression.
June 26, 2008
Africa Must Confront the Growing Crisis in Zimbabwe
By Thomas M. Woods and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1970)
Morgan Tsvangirai's withdrawal puts the onus on the U.N. and African leaders to control Robert Mugabe's campaign of terror.
June 26, 2008
Addressing the Global Food Crisis
By Brett D. Schaefer, Ben Lieberman, and Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2151)
Measures to deal with the food crisis should include eliminating the artificial demand created by ethanol and other biofuel mandates, making food assistance more effective and efficient, eliminating agricultural trade barriers and subsidies worldwide, loosening restrictions on exploiting U.S. oil and gas reserves, and encouraging the development of genetically modified crops that are better suited to Africa and other famine-prone regions.
May 02, 2008
The U.S. Is Right to Shun the U.N. Human Rights Council
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1910)
The U.N. Human Rights Council is a sham that does not effectively promote or protect human rights. Until the Council takes its responsibilities seriously--censuring major human rights abusers, exposing their reprehensible actions to public scrutiny, and eschewing its disproportionate focus on Israel--the U.S. should sever its ties to the Council completely.
April 17, 2008
Durban II: The Administration Moves in the Right Direction
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1896)
The Bush Administration has justifiably expressed its opposition to the 2009 Durban Review Conference, commonly referred to as Durban II. Durban II is the follow-up to the disastrous 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. The 2001 conference, held in Durban, South Africa, fell victim to nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that hijacked it to criticize Israel and the United States. After unsuccessfully trying to counter those efforts, the U.S. delegation walked out of the 2001 conference.
April 01, 2008
The Global Poverty Act: The Wrong Track for U.S. Aid Policy
By Ambassador Terry Miller and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1878)
The Global Poverty Act of 2007 is superfluous, misguided, and dangerous.
March 21, 2008
U.S. Africa Command: Challenges and Opportunities
By Brett D. Schaefer and Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Backgrounder #2118)
The decision to create the U.S. Africa Command reflects the increasing strategic importance of Africa to the U.S. and recognizes that a single independent command can better address Africa's unique security concerns. To succeed, AFRICOM must receive sufficient funding, must be adequately staffed by military and interagency personnel, and must enhance its relationships with African governments and militaries.
March 06, 2008
The U.S. Should Boycott the U.N.'s Durban II Conference on Racism
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #2112)
The 2009 Durban Review Conference is the follow-up to the disastrous 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in South Africa. The United States should place the next Administration in the strongest possible negotiating position by announcing America’s intention to boycott Durban II and work with Congress to withhold U.S. funds from Durban II.
March 04, 2008
The United Nations: Adieu Arbour, But Will Her Successor Be Worse?
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1833)
If Louise Arbour does not seek a second term, the next U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights should place a stronger emphasis on fundamental political and civil rights.
February 15, 2008
President Bush's Trip to Africa: Solidifying U.S. Partnerships with the Region
By Brett D. Schaefer and Anthony B. Kim
(WebMemo #1817)
Congress should support the Administration's efforts to help guide Africa into a brighter future.
February 13, 2008
Keeping PEPFAR International AIDS Relief on Target
By Jennifer A. Marshall, Daniel Patrick Moloney, Ph.D., and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1812)
In reauthorizing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Congress must ensure that funding is administered in ways that have proven effective and that preserve accountability.
January 29, 2008
Congress Should Withhold Funding for Spendthrift U.N.
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1786)
Financial leverage is the most effective way to force the United Nations to take U.S. concerns into account.
January 26, 2008
Congress Should Withhold Funds from the U.N. Development Program
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #1783)
A new Senate report confirms the serious problems plaguing UN activities in North Korea.
January 08, 2008
Kenyan Election Signals Need to Overhaul U.S. Policy Toward Nascent Democracies
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #1769)
The U.S. must overhaul its policy of issuing official statements following elections and adopt new measures to bolster democracy in developing nations.
2007 Research
December 21, 2007
The U.S. Must Be Resolute to Avoid Harmful Consequences of the Bali Global Warming Conference
By Brett D. Schaefer and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1759)
The U.S. should remain adamant in its opposition to binding emissions caps and insist that any agreement be flexible and focus on solutions that do not unduly constrain economic growth.
December 13, 2007
The U.S. Should Oppose the Largest Budget Increase in U.N. History
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1741)
The United States should base its opposition on protecting taxpayers and encouraging reform at the United Nations.
December 04, 2007
Who Leads the United Nations?
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #1054)
America should stop treating the United Nations as if it were a benign organization sympathetic to U.S. interests. The U.N. is a political body and its member states are generally opposed to U.S. objectives. America should seek to enhance accountability in the U.N. through transparency, oversight, and finance reform.
November 27, 2007
The U.N. Must Stop Enabling the Burmese Regime
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1710)
The United States should take steps within the U.N. to prevent the oppressive regime in Burma from using the privileges of the organization.
November 20, 2007
U.N. Further Weakens Human Rights Council
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1707)
Since member states refuse to rectify the deplorable actions of the Human Rights Council, it’s time for the United States to sever its ties to the Council completely.
October 23, 2007
The World Needs Less IMF, Not More
By Brett D. Schaefer and Anthony B. Kim
(WebMemo #1675)
The IMF today is an institution without a clear role; it should be transformed into a leaner institution better suited to current circumstances.
September 27, 2007
Clarifying the Future of AFRICOM
By Brett D. Schaefer and Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(WebMemo #1644)
To dispel regional concerns, the U.S. must clarify how the new command will partner with African nations and supplement existing U.S. government activities and policies in the region.
September 25, 2007
The Top Five Reasons Why Conservatives Should Oppose the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea
By Baker Spring, Steven Groves, and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1638)
Twenty-five years after President Reagan rejected it, the convention remains a threat to U.S. interests.
September 24, 2007
Congress Is Right to Withhold Funds from the U.N. Human Rights Council
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1634)
Congress sends a clear and powerful signal to other countries that it is displeased with the activities of the "reformed" Council and will act to hold it to account.
September 24, 2007
The Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change: A Badly Needed Alternative to the Kyoto Protocol
By Ben Lieberman and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1636)
Focusing on voluntary reductions and technological innovation is a more promising strategy to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
September 12, 2007
U.N. Secretary–General's Lack of Leadership Undermines Accountability
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1611)
Secretary–General Ban Ki-Moon sided with the U.N. Development Program after it fired a whistleblower who helped the United States uncover a scandal involving the program’s activities in North Korea. The United States must demand that the secretary–general implement ethics reforms.
September 06, 2007
Keep the Cap on U.S. Contributions to U.N. Peacekeeping
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #2067)
Instead of rewarding the U.N. by paying recent peacekeeping arrears and raising the cap on U.S. contributions to peacekeeping, the U.S. should refuse to pay arrears until the organization has implemented the reforms needed to correct waste in peacekeeping procurement and to ensure that peacekeepers are held accountable for abuses and criminal acts.
September 06, 2007
Executive Summary: Keep the Cap on U.S. Contributions to U.N. Peacekeeping
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Summary #2067)
Instead of rewarding the U.N. by paying recent peacekeeping arrears and raising the cap on U.S. contributions to peacekeeping, the U.S. should refuse to pay arrears until the organization has implemented the reforms needed to correct waste in peacekeeping procurement and to ensure that peacekeepers are held accountable for abuses and criminal acts.
September 05, 2007
The United Nations Human Rights Council: A Disastrous First Year and Discouraging Signs for Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #1042)
The U.S. should refuse to lend the U.N. Human Rights Council the credibility of U.S. membership or the symbolic support of U.S. contributions until such time as the Council takes its responsibilities seriously by censuring major human rights abusers, exposing their reprehensible actions to public scrutiny, and eschewing its disproportionate focus on Israel.
July 30, 2007
The United Nations Human Rights Council: A Disastrous First Year and Discouraging Signs for Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Testimony #9999)
Mr. Chairman, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to testify on how the new United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has performed in its first year and the prospects for reform. With permission, I would like my full written statement submitted for the record.
June 01, 2007
The United Nations Human Rights Council: A Disastrous First Year
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #2038)
Advancing fundamental human rights is a U.S. priority, but the U.N. Human Rights Council has proved to be ineffective. If the council does not significantly improve its performance in the coming year or if abusive states succeed in gutting the council of its effective elements, the U.S. should sever ties with the council and withhold financial support.
May 16, 2007
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: The Risks Outweigh the Benefits
By Edwin Meese III, Baker Spring, and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1459)
Nothing has occurred since 2004 that should lead the Senate to reverse its earlier decision to decline to take up the treaty.
May 04, 2007
Preventing Repressive Regimes from Using the U.N. to Advance Their Interests
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #1445)
The United States should take steps within and outside of the U.N. to prevent bad actors like Iran from exerting undue influence on international processes.
April 26, 2007
Oppose Handing UNDP Control of U.N. Country Activities
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1434)
The U.S. should oppose proposals to give the UNDP, which has embraced some of the most autocratic regimes in the world, authority over U.N. country-level operations.
April 16, 2007
Discussing Global Warming in the Security Council: Premature and a Distraction from More Pressing Crises
By Brett Schaefer and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1425)
The projected threats of global warming do not rise to the level of Security Council consideration.
March 26, 2007
U.S. Aid Does Not Build Support at the U.N.
By Brett D. Schaefer and Anthony B. Kim
(Backgrounder #2018)
The United States should work to forge coalitions with nations that share its principles of political and economic freedom, and should seek to expand those coalitions by focusing development assistance on countries with demonstrable records of improving political and economic freedom, because such nations are more likely to support U.S. priorities in the U.N. and build support for U.N. reform.
March 23, 2007
The Crisis in Zimbabwe: How the U.S. Should Respond
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1407)
The U.S. should strengthen its sanctions on Zimbabwe and press other nations and international organizations to ratchet up pressure on Mugabe and his supporters.
March 12, 2007
The U.N. Human Rights Council Does Not Merit U.S. Membership
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1392)
While advancing fundamental human rights is a U.S. priority, the Human Rights Council has not proven to be an effective instrument in addressing and advancing human rights in its inaugural year.
February 22, 2007
The U.S. Should Oppose the Proposed U.N. Alliance of Civilizations
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #2009)
The U.N. High-Level Group report on the Alliance of Civilizations offers little more than platitudes, wishful thinking, one-sided analysis, faulty justification for constraining freedom of expression, and repackaged calls for increased assistance from Western countries. The United States should oppose proposals to give the alliance a permanent mandate, establish a permanent funding stream, and create new supporting mechanisms.
February 13, 2007
Time for a New United Nations Peacekeeping Organization
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #2006)
A new, independent U.N. Peacekeeping Organization overseen by an Executive Peacekeeping Board and charged with managing, implementing, and overseeing peace operations authorized by the Security Council could make U.N. peace operations more coherent, transparent, efficient, and accountable while sidestepping the management and human resources deadlock in the General Assembly.
February 13, 2007
Executive Summary: Time for a New United Nations Peacekeeping Organization
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Summary #2006)
A new, independent U.N. Peacekeeping Organization overseen by an Executive Peacekeeping Board and charged with managing, implementing, and overseeing peace operations authorized by the Security Council could make U.N. peace operations more coherent, transparent, efficient, and accountable while sidestepping the management and human resources deadlock in the General Assembly.
February 07, 2007
Creating an Africa Command: Bush Administration Makes the Right Call
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1349)
President Bush has demonstrated foresight in calling for an Africa command, and Congress should work to support its implementation.
January 22, 2007
The UNDP North Korea Scandal: How Congress and the Bush Administration Should Respond
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., Brett D. Schaefer, and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #1318)
The United States must demand an immediate, fully independent inquiry into this latest scandal.
January 11, 2007
Three Priorities for the New Secretary-General of the United Nations
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1305)
The new Secretary-General should work to bring in people committed to overhauling the organization, to improve the management and fundamental day-to-day operations of the U.N., and to prevent the recurrence of U.N. peacekeepers' ethical lapses.
2006 Research
December 08, 2006
Enough Reports: More Action Needed on U.N. Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1988)
The United States should support new Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon in pushing for fundamental reform of the U.N. but should not hesitate to supplement its diplomatic efforts with financial carrots and sticks and use its voice and vote to oppose new initiatives, offices or organizations, or budget increases until reforms are implemented.
November 17, 2006
John Bolton: An Effective Force for U.S. Interests at the United Nations
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1258)
As U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton has proven a forceful advocate of American interests, a powerful voice for U.N. reform, and a staunch defender of the cause of human rights.
October 03, 2006
The Status of United Nations Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #966)
The bulk of the U.N. membership does not care about U.N. reform, effectiveness, accountability, or oversight. Instead, these member states are focused on increasing the scope of the organization’s power as a means for amplifying their own influence and priorities and using the organization as a lever to extract increased international aid and transfers.
September 19, 2006
The United Nations Human Rights Council: Repeating Past Mistakes
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #964)
The hope that a new U.N. Human Rights Council would rectify the U.N.’s poor record of holding human rights abusers to account has, thus far, proven illusory
July 26, 2006
John Bolton: A Powerful Voice for America at the United Nations
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1179)
Bolton has proven a forceful advocate of American interests, a powerful voice for UN reform, and a staunch defender of the cause of human rights.
July 25, 2006
Electing the Next United Nations Secretary-General Is an Opportunity to Press for UN Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer and Janice A. Smith
(WebMemo #1177)
The United States should use the selection process to state clearly that candidates for Secretary-General must be committed to fundamental UN reform.
June 20, 2006
America's Growing Reliance on African Energy Resources
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1944)
Implementing a strategy of diversifying the sources of America's energy imports will require securing access to and encouraging increased production of oil resources in Africa. The current U.S. policy of promoting economic freedom and political accountability, transparency and accountability in the energy sector, and enhanced security is the best way to secure stable access to natural resources for the long term.
June 13, 2006
Malloch Brown Is Wrong: The U.S. Should Press Even Harder for UN Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer and Nile Gardiner Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1122)
In a June 6 speech before the Center for American Progress and the Century Foundation, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown chastised the Bush Administration and previous U.S. administrations over their approach to the UN. Malloch Brown's comments reinforce the need for the Bush Administration and Congress to press for broader U.N. reform. Instead of acquiescing to Malloch Brown's desire to see America's engagement limited to paying what the UN demands and supporting its edicts, the United States and its allies must increase their efforts to make the United Nations more accountable, effective, and transparent. To that end, the U.S. should oppose authorizing the remaining UN budget until the General Assembly approves the Secretary-General's reform measures. And if an increased UN regular budget is approved over the objection of the U.S., the U.S. should withhold funding for the United Nations.
June 05, 2006
The Free Trade Future of AGOA
By Brett D. Schaefer and Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #1108)
This week Washington will host the fifth Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, which will bring together governments and representatives of the private sector and civil society to discuss how the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) "can continue to be a vehicle to increase trade, investment and economic cooperation between the United States and sub-Saharan African eligible countries." Economic growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa depends greatly on increasing the competitiveness of African businesses and entrepreneurs. AGOA contributes to that goal by providing duty-free access to the U.S. market for most imports from the region. However, trade preferences are not the best long-term solution. For sub-Saharan African countries to take full advantage of trade to spur growth and development, their governments must remove barriers to trade among themselves and should enter into a full free trade agreement with the U.S. This will take time to negotiate and implement. The U.S. should begin work now to transform AGOA into a free trade agreement by its expiration in 2015.
May 19, 2006
Executive Summary: A Progress Report on U.N. Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Summary #1937)
An effective United Nations is in America's interests, but to be effective, the U.N. must carry out its responsibilities competently, and the current organization falls short. The United States should encourage controversial reforms intended to improve the organization. Otherwise, America will be forced to expend greater treasure and effort to resolve problems that could otherwise be assigned to the U.N.
May 19, 2006
A Progress Report on U.N. Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1937)
An effective United Nations is in America's interests, but to be effective, the U.N. must carry out its responsibilities competently, and the current organization falls short. The United States should encourage controversial reforms intended to improve the organization. Otherwise, America will be forced to expend greater treasure and effort to resolve problems that could otherwise be assigned to the U.N.
May 18, 2006
Keeping the Pressure on Sudan
By By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1085)
In recent years violence and atrocities committed by "Arab" militias in the Darfur region of western Sudan have increased. The large numbers of deaths and displaced persons, as well as the ethnic component of the conflict, have led many to compare the situation to the genocide in Rwanda. Many have blamed the U.S. for failing to act more decisively to stop the crisis in Darfur, but the U.S. has pressed repeatedly for U.N. resolutions to authorize a robust peacekeeping effort and impose stiff sanctions on the Sudanese government. In most instances, these efforts have been stymied or watered down by opposition from China and Russia who use their veto and influence in the Security Council to block action. In the meantime, the U.S. has encouraged a multi-pronged effort to negotiate cease-fires and a peace agreement, secure access for humanitarian relief efforts, support intervention by the African Union, and press for sanctions on individuals involved in the conflict, while continuing to press forward on U.N. action. Despite the seriousness of the situation in Darfur, the response has been limited to narrow U.N. sanctions, humanitarian support, and a woefully inadequate peacekeeping mission from the African Union.
May 10, 2006
Human Rights Relativism Redux: UN Human Rights Council Mirrors Discredited Human Rights Commission
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1069)
Elections to the new Council prove less than encouraging.
May 03, 2006
Resistance by the G-77 Means the U.S. Must Use Financial Leverage to Advance Reform at the UN
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1057)
The U.S. should pressure nations resisting U.N. reform.
April 06, 2006
The Right Decision on the UN Human Rights Council
By Brett Schaefer and Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1031)
The Bush Administration should be applauded for its decision not to seek election to the newly created United Nations Human Rights Council. The 47-seat body is not a significant improvement over the hugely discredited Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The new Council's complete lack of membership criteria renders it open to infiltration and manipulation by the world's worst human rights abusers. Significantly, Burma, Syria, Libya, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Zimbabwe all voted in favor of the new Council in the General Assembly, in the face of strong U.S. opposition. The brutal North Korean regime has given the Council its ringing endorsement.
March 18, 2006
The U.S. Should Support Japan's Call to Revise the UN Scale of Assessments
By Brett D. Schaefer and Janice A. Smith
(WebMemo #1017)
"You have to pay the costs to be the boss."
March 08, 2006
Nuclear Diplomacy: Keep the Pressure on Iran
By James Phillips and Brett Schaefer
(WebMemo #1010)
An IAEA referral may be in sight. What comes next?
March 07, 2006
How the Scope of Government Shapes the Wealth of Nations
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #925)
For development to occur, governments must remove obstacles to growth, which includes reducing the excessive size and scope of government. Developed countries can help by encouraging good policy and opening their markets to developing country products, but success in development ultimately depends on developing countries adopting and implementing policies that promote economic freedom, good governance and the rule of law.
March 01, 2006
U.N. Resolution on Human Rights Council Does Not Deserve U.S. Support
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1002)
It is time for the U.S. to pursue a two-track strategy, working outside of the U.N.
February 08, 2006
The U.N. Human Rights Council Is Not Enough: Time for a New Approach to Human Rights
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1910)
Failure to replace the U.N. Commission on Human Rights with a Human Rights Council that excludes human rights abusers and non-democracies would signal the U.N.'s inability to serve as the sole authority for human rights. The U.S. and other like-minded countries should establish a supplementary, independent human rights body that meets those standards outside the U.N. framework.
February 03, 2006
How Economic Freedom Is Central to Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #922)
Developed countries can assist development by encouraging good policy and opening their markets to developing country products, but success in development ultimately depends on developing countries' adopting and implementing policies that promote economic freedom, good governance, and the rule of law, which are the key to economic growth and development with or without foreign assistance.
January 13, 2006
Promoting Economic Prosperity Through the Millennium Challenge Account
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #920)
By focusing on countries that are committed to policies conducive to economic growth and development, the Millennium Challenge Account sends the right message that developing countries must undertake reform to make development possible. The MCA captures the nature of this partnership by creating incentives for poor nations to adopt economic freedom, the rule of law, and good governance.
2005 Research
November 14, 2005
Proposals for an Environmental Indicator for the MCA Should Be Resisted
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1896)
Economic growth is key to increasing environmental protection in developing nations and is associated with greater economic freedom, property rights, and the rule of law: three areas already well covered by Millennium Challenge Account criteria. Unless per capita income is increased through economic growth, efforts to improve environmental quality through MCA criteria will prove fruitless and possibly counterproductive.
November 02, 2005
Keep the Internet Free of the United Nations
By Brett D. Schaefer, John J. Tkacik, Jr., and James L. Gattuso
(WebMemo #904)
The world body considers a new and troubling approach to Internet governance.
September 26, 2005
The U.N.'s World Summit is Wrong on Development Assistance
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1881)
While foreign assistance can be useful, increasing developed country economic assistance to 0.7 percent of GNP will not improve economic growth and development in poor nations. Countries beset by a weak rule of law, corruption, heavy state intervention, and other policies that retard growth will not experience increased economic growth even with greater assistance.
September 21, 2005
The U.N. Summit Document: At What Cost?
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #853)
The final Summit document proposes an array of costly new mandates but punts on any serious reforms.
August 18, 2005
U.N. Security Council Expansion Is Not in the U.S. Interest
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1876)
The problems of the United Nations are myriad, but few if any would be resolved by expanding the Security Council. Even a modest expansion of the Council would contribute to gridlock, dilute U.S. influence in the Council, and likely result in a Council more hostile to the United States on many key issues.
August 11, 2005
The United States Should Oppose Expansion of the U.N. Security Council
By Nile Gardiner Ph.D. and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #820)
In the next few months, the United Nations General Assembly is expected to consider several proposals to expand the U.N. Security Council from the current 15 members.
June 27, 2005
Congress Should Fully Fund the Millennium Challenge Account
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #776)
Cut traditional foreign aid, not the MCA.
June 10, 2005
The United Nations Reform Act of 2005: A Powerful Lever to Advance U.N. Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #759)
A well-designed proposal to tilt the U.N. away from secrecy, scandal, and corruption.
June 10, 2005
The United Nations Reform Act of 2005: A Powerful Lever to Advance U.N. Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #759)
A well-designed proposal to tilt the U.N. away from secrecy, scandal, and corruption.
June 02, 2005
A Blueprint for Paul Wolfowitz at the World Bank
By Ana Isabel Eiras and Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1856)
The World Bank should focus its assistance on the world's poorest nations and cease lending to wealthier nations that have access to capital markets. Assistance should be focused on countries that demonstrate commitment to economic freedom and the rule of law and should be disbursed through performance-based grants rather than loans, to militate against unsustainable debt.
April 18, 2005
The U. S. Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the Dominican Republic: How Everyone Benefits
By His Excellency Tomás Dueñas, His Excellency Salvador Stadthagen, His Excellency Rene León, His Excellency Flavio Dario Espinal, His Excellency Guillermo Castillo, Brett D. Schaefer, and John G. Murphy
(Heritage Lecture #872)
DR–CAFTA, which would liberalize trade between the United States, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, offers a framework for increasing economic growth that will bolster political stability and enhance hemispheric stability and security; it would also spur growth in regional job creation, thereby helping to mitigate illegal migration to the United States.
March 22, 2005
Wolfowitz at the World Bank
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #700)
Europe should accept that Wolfowitz is a strong candidate to lead the Bank.
March 21, 2005
Congress Should Support Extension of TPA
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Memorandum #965)
Presidential trade promotion authority has helped the U.S. to make rapid progress in negotiating and concluding new free trade agreements. Congress should support the extension of TPA, both to ensure progress in ongoing trade negotiations and to signal that the U.S. will continue to champion trade liberalization that brings economic benefits to consumers and producers worldwide.
March 08, 2005
The Bush Administration's Policy on the International Criminal Court Is Correct
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1830)
Both the Clinton Administration and the Bush Administration concluded that the International Criminal Court is a seriously flawed institution that the U.S. should not join. Unless its flaws are addressed, the U.S. should not join the court and should oppose initiatives that could give credence to the court's claims of jurisdiction over American nationals and military.
March 08, 2005
Congress Should Fund the Millennium Challenge Account
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Memorandum #963)
The MCA is a new approach that focuses development assistance on countries that are committed to policies conducive to economic growth and development, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation has negotiated compacts over the past year and is poised to disburse grants. Congress should praise the prudence demonstrated by the program and support the President's $3 billion budget request.
February 15, 2005
Why the U.S. Is Right to Support an Ad Hoc Tribunal for Darfur
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #665)
A position based on accountability, sovereignty, and a desire for local resolution of problems.
February 08, 2005
Congress Should Support Free Trade with Central America and the Dominican Republic
By Brett D. Schaefer and Stephen Johnson
(Backgrounder #1822)
The Dominican Republic–Central American Free Trade Agreement would expand markets for Central America, the Dominican Republic, and the United States; help to integrate these countries into the global economy; encourage needed economic reforms; bolster positive political trends; and signal the entire hemisphere that Washington is serious about market integration and helping its neighbors to develop.
2004 Research
December 30, 2004
American Generosity is Underappreciated
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #630)
Is the U.S. 'stingy' when it comes to foreign aid? Hardly.
December 20, 2004
Multilateral Economic Development Efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #858)
Despite development assistance (often at extremely subsidized interest rates and generous repayment schedules), sub-Saharan Africa has performed dismally on various economic indicators. Developing countries must make their own internal reforms by implementing policies that promote economic freedom, which, in turn, are known to be associated with higher levels of economic growth.
September 14, 2004
The U.S. Should Support Free Trade with Central America and the Dominican Republic
By Brett D. Schaefer and Stephen Johnson
(Executive Memorandum #941)
DR-CAFTA represents a watershed moment for America's trade agenda. By approving the agreement, Congress would bolster political stability and encourage economic liberalization among close neighbors, supplying jobs to workers who would otherwise illegally migrate to the United States.
August 10, 2004
Free Trade by Any Means: How the Global Free Trade Alliance Enhances America's Overall Trading Strategy
By Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D., John C. Hulsman, Ph.D., and Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1786)
The Bush Administration should consider a Global Free Trade Alliance (GFTA) as a complementary part of America's existing trade agenda of promoting free trade by any means. The GFTA would offer free trade among the U.S. and other nations that have a demonstrable commitment to free trade and investment, minimal regulation, and property rights-on the one condition that they reciprocate this access to the U.S. and the other GFTA members.
July 20, 2004
The Defense Authorization Bill: A Survival Guide
By Jack Spencer, Baker Spring, Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., Brett D. Schaefer, and John J. Tkacik
(Backgrounder #1780)
As the conference committee reconciles the House and Senate versions of the 2005 defense authorization bill, some of the most important differences that must be resolved include the issues of missile defense; base realignment and closure; the U.N. Oil-for-Food scandal; U.S.–Taiwan military-to-military exchanges; Rapid Acquisition Authority; and "Buy America" and other protectionist purchasing requirements.
July 15, 2004
Congress Should Cut Traditional Foreign Aid, Not the Millennium Challenge Account
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #537)
Taking more money from MCA, which Congress is already set to fund below the President's request, would be a mistake.
July 09, 2004
Forging Freedom Coalitions to Promote U.S. Priorities in the United Nations
By Brett D. Schaefer and Anthony B. Kim
(Backgrounder #1776)
Over the past four sessions of the U.N. General Assembly, 86 percent of U.S. foreign aid recipients voted against the U.S. a majority of the time. To bolster international support of U.S. policies, the U.S. should seek to create coalitions among economically and politically free nations and should focus its foreign assistance on promoting political and economic freedom in recipient countries.
June 16, 2004
U.N. Requires Fundamental Reforms
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #842)
The United Nations has credibility problems that can only be overcome through greater transparency, accountability, and reform of its membership. Until these issues are addressed, the UN should continue to expect close scrutiny from the U.S. Congress and repeated attempts to use America's purse strings to impose reform.
May 19, 2004
Addressing Nigeria's Economic Problems and the Islamist Terrorist Threat
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Memorandum #933)
Ongoing assaults against Nigerian oil production, general political instability, economic mismanagement, and the threat of Islamist radicalism necessitate that the U.S. work with Nigeria to address these problems. This should be done by encouraging Nigeria to improve its economy, secure its oil, combat corruption, and enforce the rule of law.
May 13, 2004
Myths and Realities: The False Crisis of Outsourcing
By Tim Kane, Ph.D., Brett D. Schaefer, and Alison Acosta Fraser
(Backgrounder #1757)
Outsourcing is a new variant of the myth that capitalism is good for capital at the expense of labor. Rather than relying on protectionism, Congress should improve the competitiveness of the U.S. business environment by eliminating overly burdensome regulations, attacking frivolous lawsuits through tort reform, simplifying and flattening the tax code, and ensuring affordable and reliable energy supplies.
April 23, 2004
Promoting Global Economic Freedom at the G-7 Meetings to Secure Future Growth
By Brett D. Schaefer, Balbina Y. Hwang, and Tim Kane
(WebMemo #490)
European- and Japanese-style government intervention is a barrier to growing prosperity
April 01, 2004
Ten Myths about Jobs and Outsourcing
By Tim Kane, Brett D. Schaefer, and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #467)
America's workers deserve a more informative, less partisan debate on outsourcing. The negative impact of outsourcing on the economy and American employment has been greatly exaggerated and the benefits of outsourcing almost entirely ignored.
2003 Research
February 28, 2003
More Is Not Better At U.N. Security Council
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #214)
Explores why the Council should focus on increasing it's effectiveness rather then its size.
February 28, 2003
How to Improve the Bush Administration's Millennium Challenge Account
By Brett D. Schaefer and Paolo Pasicolan
(Backgrounder #1629)
Congress should hold the MCA to high standards of performance that are independently verified...
February 20, 2003
Economic Freedom: The Path to African Prosperity
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #778)
Removing barriers to trade is one of the most important actions that developed countries can take to aid development in poor nations and should be pursued in all possible ways.
2002 Research
December 13, 2002
Why a Pro-Western Turkey Is a U.S. Policy Priority
By John C. Hulsman, Ph.D., and Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Memorandum #845)
Ensuring that Turkey remains a pro-Western secular democracy should be a national security priority. The resistance of member states of the EU to giving Turkey a firm date for its near-term accession threatens that goal. Washington should implement an assistance contingency plan that strengthens U.S. relations with its ally.
October 17, 2002
Back to Basics: An Economic Agenda for APEC
By Dana Robert Dillon, Balbina Y. Hwang, John J. Tkacik, Jr. and Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1604)
President Bush needs to set the global trading system on a firm footing for sustained economic growth at APEC this year. He should encourage economic reform in Japan and Korea, support democratic Taiwan, forge free trade agreements, and set the stage for WTO negotiations.
October 17, 2002
bg1604es: Back to Basics: An Economic Agenda for APEC
By Dana Robert Dillon, Balbina Y. Hwang, John J. Tkacik, Jr. and Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Summary #1604)
bg1604es: Back to Basics: An Economic Agenda for APEC
October 04, 2002
Cypriot EU Accession: An Impending Crisis in the Turkish-American
By John C. Hulsman, Ph.D., and Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1601)
If conditions between Europe and Turkey worsen and Turkey's aspirations for EU membership continue to be frustrated, the United States should demonstrate its recognition of Turkey's importance by offering a bilateral free trade agreement as an alternative.
September 19, 2002
Bush Is Right on Iraq: The Issue Is Compliance, Not Inspections
By Brett D. Schaefer and Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #1592)
The Security Council must demand Iraq's compliance with its past resolutions and back up its demands with a clear authorization for member states to use force if Iraq does not comply. Failure to do so is a de facto decision to allow the U.S. to protect international peace and security.
September 11, 2002
World Bank Loans Are Not the Key to Development
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #142)
Assistance can help poor nations, but without economic growth these achievements are not self-perpetuating. The Senate should take the opportunity to focus the President and the World Bank on the importance of economic growth and the economic freedom that leads to such growth.
September 05, 2002
U.N. Authorization for War with Iraq Is Unnecessary
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Memorandum #831)
The Administration has the legal authority under international law to take action to protect U.S. interests. U.N. Security Council Resolution 678 authorizing U.N. member states to "use all necessary means" to restore international peace and security to the region remains in force.
July 12, 2002
The Millennium Challenge Account
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Heritage Lecture #753)
The MCAs must not be weighed down with earmarks, prohibitions, and priorities that don't contribute to development efforts. Instead, the agency chosen to oversee the MCA funds should have the discretion to target a small number of countries with proven track records in embracing policies that lead to economic growth.
July 08, 2002
EM822: The Right Way To End the ICC Impasse
By John C. Hulsman, Ph.D. and Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Memorandum #822)
EM822: The Right Way To End the ICC Impasse
May 06, 2002
BG1546ES: America's International Development Agenda
By Brett D. Schaefer and Aaron Schavey
(Executive Summary #1546)
BG1546ES: America's International Development Agenda
May 06, 2002
America's International Development Agenda
By Brett D. Schaefer and Aaron Schavey
(Backgrounder #1546)
The international community frequently demands that wealthy nations increase their development assistance to poor nations. The United States will provide additional assistance, but President Bush is also prudently pursuing a system that measures the effectiveness of aid.
March 26, 2002
BG1530ES: Addressing the Looming Financial Crisis in Japan
By Balbina Y. Hwang and Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Summary #1530)
BG1530ES: Addressing the Looming Financial Crisis in Japan
March 26, 2002
Addressing the Looming Financial Crisis in Japan
By Balbina Y. Hwang and Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1530)
Japan's resistance to free-market capitalism is the source of its current malaise, and a failure to address this issue will make a future crisis in Japan inevitable. For the good of Japan and the global economy, the Bush Administration should work closely with the Japanese government and convince leaders of that nation to undertake long-delayed reform.
March 14, 2002
Zimbabwe's Stolen Presidential Election Demands a U.S. Response
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1525)
The United States and its allies should warn Mugabe that a stolen election will not absolve him of responsibility for his despicable actions that include murder and that increase poverty and the destruction of the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
February 25, 2002
Time to Change U.S. Strategy for the Andean Region
By Ana I. Eiras, John C. Hulsman, Ph.D., Stephen Johnson, and Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1521)
The Bush Administration should be concerned about the potential chaos in the Andean region and take immediate action to adjust its policies to address the many problems facing the region before they deteriorate further.
February 25, 2002
